"Demoralized, subjugated, and negotiating with the enemy!" said a third.
"Well, where is the place of meeting--where are the terms beingarranged?" I said.
"At a place called Disaways, on the lower Rowanty!"
"Good! I know the road there," I said.
And with a laugh, which the general and his gay cavaliers echoed, Itouched my gray with the spur, and set out toward the south.
XII.
BY A FIRE IN THE WOODS.
I pushed on, having resolved, after finishing my duties, to visitDisaways.
Soon Dinwiddie Court-House came in sight. I entered the small village,and looked attentively--as I had done on more than one occasionbefore--at the locality which General Davenant's narrative hadsurrounded with so strange an interest. There was the old tavern, withits long portico, where Darke had held his orgies, and from which hehad set forth on his errand of robbery and murder. There was the countyjail, in which General Davenant had insisted upon being confined, andwhere so many friends had visited him. There was the old court-house, inwhich he had been tried for the murder of George Conway; and I fancied Icould distinguish upon one of the shutters, the broken bolt which Darkehad forced, more than ten years before, in order to purloin the knifewith which the crime had been committed.
For some miles, that tragic story absorbed me, banishing all otherreflections. That was surely the strangest of histories!--and the dramahad by no means reached its denouement. Between the first and last acts"an interval of ten years is supposed to pass." There was the stagedirection! Darke was still alive, active, dangerous, bent on mischief.He had an able coadjutress in his female ally. That singular woman, withwhom his life was so closely connected, was in prison, it was true, butthe Confederate authorities might release her; she might, at any moment,recommence her _diablerie_. Had she found that paper--or had Mohunfound it? In any event, she was dangerous--more so, even, than her malecompanion--that worthy whom I might meet at every turn in the road--thatprince of surprises and tragic "appearances!"
"Decidedly, these are curiosities, this man and this woman!" I said;"they are two bottomless pits of daring and depravity. Mohun has escapedthem heretofore, but now, when the enemy seem driving us, and sweepingevery thing before them, will not Darke and madam attain theirvengeance, and come out winners in the struggle?"
With that reflection, I dismissed the subject, and pushed on, over thenarrow and winding roads, to make my inspections.
The day was cold and brilliant; the winds cut the face; and I rode onsteadily, thinking of many things. Then the desire to smoke seized uponme. General Fitzhugh Lee had given me some excellent cigars, capturedfrom the enemy, and I looked around to find some house where I couldlight my cigar. None appeared; but at two hundred yards from theroad, in a hidden hollow, I thought I perceived the glimmer of afire--probably made by some straggler. I rode toward it, descended intothe hollow, approached the fire, beside which crouched a figure, wrappedin an overcoat. The figure raised its head--and I recognized Nighthawk.
He rose and smiled benignantly, as he shook hands with me.
"An unexpected meeting, Nighthawk," I said, laughing. "What on earthmakes you come out and camp in the woods?"
"A little fancy, colonel; you know I am eccentric. I like this way ofliving, from having scouted so much--but I came here with an object!"
"What?"
"To be private. I thought my fire could not be seen from the road."
"Why should it not be?"
"Well, perhaps I exaggerate danger. But I am on an important scoutingexpedition--wanted to reflect, and not be seen--I am going, to-night,through the lines on a little affair of which you know something."
"Ah, what do you refer to?"
"That paper," said Nighthawk, succinctly. "It is in the hands ofAlibi--there is a Yankee picket at his house--but I am going to see him,and force him to surrender it."
"Is it possible he has it! Do you know that?"
"Strangely enough, colonel. Do you remember that woman, Amanda?"
"Perfectly. I visited her with Mohun."
"He told me of your visit. Well, you no doubt remember also, colonel,that he offered her a large sum to discover the paper--that she offeredto try and find it, or give him a clue to its whereabouts--he was toreturn in ten days, and hear her report."
"Yes," I said.
"Well, he returned, colonel, but Amanda could tell him nothing--whichyou no doubt have heard."
"Yes, from him."
"I have been more successful, at last, in dealing with this strangewoman. I do not know if she is a witch or an epileptic, or what--but shehas convinced me that Alibi has the paper we want."
And Nighthawk proceeded to explain. It was an exceedingly curiousexplanation. Amanda had first demanded of him a statement of all thefacts. He had thereupon informed her of the appointment which he hadmade with Swartz in Richmond, to meet him three days afterward at thehouse of Alibi--of his detention by the pickets, so that he had beenunable to keep the appointment--Alibi's statement when he saw him, thatSwartz had not been to his house--and Swartz's confinement in the lonelyhouse, ending in his murder by Darke. That was all he knew, he said--thepaper was gone--where was it?
"At Mr. Alibi's," Amanda had replied; "I only asked you this, Mr.Nighthawk, to satisfy myself that my visions were true. I _saw_ poorMr. Swartz go to Mr. Alibi's, and ask for you, on the day you appointed.When he was told that you had not come, he seemed very low-spirited, andtold Mr. Alibi that he _must_ see you, to give you a paper. His life wasthreatened, he said, on account of that paper. An officer and a lady haddiscovered that he had that paper--it was as much as his life was worthto keep it on his person--if Mr. Alibi would take it, and for old times'sake, put it away until _he_ came back, he would pay him as much goldas he could hold in both hands. Then he gave the paper to Mr. Alibi, andwent away, telling him to say nothing of it."
"I then asked her," continued Nighthawk, "where the paper could befound. She replied that Alibi always carried it on his person. That wasa few days ago. I am going to-night to see him, and recover the paper."
I had listened to this narrative with strange interest. This singularwoman was a curious problem. Were her _visions_ really such as shedescribed them? Or did she only "put this and that together," as thephrase is, and by her marvellous acumen, sharpened possibly by disease,arrive at results which defied the most penetrating glance of the sane?I knew not--but reflecting often upon this subject since, have finallycome to the latter conclusion, as the more philosophic of the two.Epilepsy is insanity of mind and body; and one of the most infalliblecharacteristics of insanity is cunning--which is only another wordfor diseased and abnormal activity of brain. Amanda arrived at strangeresults, but I think she attained them by disease. Her acumen in thisaffair could be thus explained, almost wholly. As to the truth of theexplanation, I felt a singular presentiment that it was correct.
"Well, that is curious enough," I said, "and I wish you success,Nighthawk. What of our other female friend--the fair lady you arrestedin Richmond?"
"She is safe enough, colonel, and I don't think she will trouble ussoon."
"I am glad of it. I think her the more dangerous of _the two_."
"And I agree with you."
"When did you see Darke, last?"
"I have not met him for three months."
"He can not be dead?"
"He may be wounded."
"And Mohun--is he at his head-quarters?"
Nighthawk smiled.
"He is at Five Forks, to-day, colonel."
"And Willie Davenant?"
"In Richmond, on business at the war department."
"Humph! So I shall see neither--but another time."
And mounting my horse, I added:--
"Good luck, Nighthawk."
"Thank you, colonel--the same to you."
And leaving Nighthawk crouching down beside his fire, I rode on.
XIII.
DRINKING TEA UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
Pushing on, I reached the cavalry and horse artillery, which I wassoon done with--you see I dismiss "official" matters with commendablerapidity, reader--then I went on across Roney's bridge and along the"Flat Foot road" toward Disaways.
Following, amid a great wind and falling boughs, this winding road,stretching onward between its lofty walls of pines--a wild and desertedtrack, outside of the pickets, and completely untravelled. I recrossedStony Creek, rode on over a bridle-path, and came just at sunset insight of the hill upon which Disaways raised its ancient gables, nearthe Rowanty.
My horse neighed as he cantered up, and passed under the great oaks. Heseemed to feel that this was something like home to him now, and thathis day's march was over. In fact, all the months of winter I hadregularly stopped at Disaways on my way to the cavalry at Hicksford. Myfriends had pathetically remonstrated--"there was not a single picketon the Rowanty in front of me, there, and I would certainly be capturedsome day,"--but I had persisted in stopping there still, on every tourwhich I made. How to resist the temptation! Disaways was just thirtymiles from Petersburg. I always reached its vicinity as night fell, onthe dark winter days. I was always cold, hungry, weary, depressed bythe dull gray skies; and I knew what awaited me there--a blazing fire, agood supper, and Katy's smiles brighter than sunshine! She always ran togreet me, with both hands extended. Her blue eyes danced with joy, herrosy cheeks glowed, her lips laughed, and were like carnations, hergolden ringlets fell in a shower over her white and delicate temples, orwere blown back in ripples by the wintry wind.
Could you have resisted that, my dear reader? Would you have shrunk fromYankee scouting parties? For my part I thought I would risk it. I mightbe surprised and captured at any moment--the territory was open to theenemy--but I would have had a charming evening, would have been cheeredby Katy's sunshine--while I was alive and free, I would have lived, andin a manner the most delightful!
Hitherto some angel had watched over me, and Disaways had been unvisitedby the enemy's scouting parties, without so much as a vedette atthe Halifax bridge, within half a mile. I had sat by the fire, eatencountless suppers, laughed and conversed with my good friends, sleptsoundly in a _real bed_, and gone on my way in the morning rejoicing.
I had thus always escaped surprise. No enemy ever annoyed me. It was theold adage, however, of the pitcher that went to the well so often!--butlet me go on with my narrative.
As my horse uttered his shrill neigh now, ringing through the Marchevening, the door opened and Katy ran out to greet me. She had neverlooked more beautiful, and I recall still, as though I had seen ityesterday, the charming smile on her red lips. The wind blew backher ringlets till they resembled golden ripples--the rosy cheeks wereflushed--there madam! (I say this to some one who is leaning over myshoulder, and laughing) don't begrudge me these smiling memories! Katywas only my little niece as it were--she is married and far away now.Nay, Surry ought to love and be grateful to the little lady who tooksuch good care, in those grim days, of--your husband, madam!
Behind Katy appeared the faces of the excellent family, who cordiallygreeted me. Behind all appeared the blushing but dandified Tom Herbert.
"Ah! there is a straggler!" I said. "Why don't you send him back to hiscommand, ladies? Every man should be at his post in this trying moment!"
"Oh, bother, my dear Surry! what a tongue you have!" exclaimed Tom.
"I see General Fitz was right, or his staff rather, in what they toldme, Tom."
"What did they tell you, my dear boy?"
"That you were demoralized and captured!"
Sweet smile on the faces of the family at these words!
"That you had acknowledged your weakness, seen that further resistancewas hopeless, and were already negotiating a surrender to the enemy.Well, Tom, what are the terms? Are they arranged?"
Suddenly I felt my hair pulled by an enemy from behind; and lookinground I saw Miss Katy passing by, with an immense appearance ofinnocence. Her face was blushing; her lips emitted a low laugh; andseeing that no one was looking at her, she raised her finger in silentmenace at me.
This caused a diversion, and Tom was enabled to rally his forces.
"My dear Surry," he said, smiling, with his delightfully foppishair, "it always charms me to meet you, for you are always sparkling,brilliant, full of wit; which reminds me of the good old dayswith Stuart! You have only one fault, my boy, you think yourself aphilosopher. Don't do that, I beg, Surry!--But what's the news fromPetersburg?"
I acquiesced in the change of topic, and gave Tom the news; but I waslooking at Katy.
More than ever before I admired that little "bird of beauty," flittingabout with charming grace, and an irresistible business air, to get memy supper, for the rest had just finished. This privilege she alwaysclaimed when I came to Disaways; fighting furiously, if the excellentlady of the manor attempted to supplant her. Looking at her, as sheran about now, engaged in her most admirable occupation, I thought herlovelier than ever before--certainly than when talking in the woods withTom! You see she was getting my supper, reader!--and it seemed to bea labor of love. The little fairy ran on her tiptoes from sideboard totable; spread a snowy napkin, and placed a gilt china plate upon it;made tea; covered the table with edibles; and placed beside my platea great goblet of yellow cream, of the consistency of syrup. Then shepoured out my tea, set my chair to the table, and came with courtesy andlaughing ceremony, to offer me her arm, and lead me to my seat.
Men are weak, worthy reader, and the most "romantic and poetical" of usall, have much of the animal in us. That is a mortifying confession. Iwas terribly hungry, and at that moment I think my attention was moreclosely riveted on the table, than even upon Miss Katy with her rosesand ringlets.
I therefore unbuckled my sabre, placed the little hand on my arm, andwas about to proceed toward the table, when a shot, accompanied by ashout, was heard from the direction of the Rowanty.
I went and buckled on my sword again. Then seeing Tom rise quickly--toget his horse ready, he said--I requested him to have my own resaddled,and returned to the table.
I had just raised the cup of tea to my lips, amid warnings from thefamily, to take care or I would be captured, when a cavalryman gallopedup the hill, and stopped in front of the door.
"Look out, the Yankees are coming!" he cried.
I glanced through the window, and recognized a man of Mohun's command,who also recognized me.
"How near are they?" I said, attempting to swallow the burning tea.
"Not a quarter of a mile off, colonel!"
"That will give me time," I said.
And I applied myself again to the tea, which this time I poured out intothe saucer, in order to cool it.
"Look out, colonel!" cried the man.
"Where are they?"
"At the gate."
I finished the tea, and the goblet of cream just as the man shouted:--
"Here they are, right on you, colonel!"
And I heard the sound of a galloping horse, accompanied by shots at theretreating cavalryman.
I went quickly to the window. A column of Federal cavalry was rapidlyascending the hill. By the last beams of day I recognized Darke at thehead of the column; and by his side rode Mr. Alibi. I thought I couldsee that Darke was thin and very pale, but was not certain. The lightwas faint, and I had only one glance--discretion suggested a quickretreat.
I just grazed capture--passing through the door, in rear of themansion, at the very moment when a number of the enemy, who had hastilydismounted, rushed in at the front door.
Tom was mounted, and holding my horse, which the good boy had saddledwith his own hands. I leaped to saddle, and had scarcely done so, whena pistol bullet whizzed by my head. It had crashed through a pane of thewindow from within--and a loud shout followed. We had been perceived.
Under these circumstances, my dear reader, we always ran in the latewar. Some persons considered it disgraceful to run or dodge, but theywere civilians.
"Don't run until you
are obliged to, but then run like the ----!" said ahard-fighting general.
And one day when a lady was telling General R.E. Lee, how a friend ofhers had dodged once, the general turned to the laughing officer, andsaid in his deep voice, "That's right captain, dodge all you can!"
I have often dodged, and more than once have--withdrawn rapidly. On thisoccasion, Tom and I thought that retreat was the wisest course. In amoment we had disappeared in the woods, followed by pistol shots andsome of the enemy.
They did not pursue us far. The Federal cavalry did not like theVirginia woods.
In ten minutes their shots were no longer heard; their shouts died away;and returning on our steps, we came once more in sight of Disaways andreconnoitred.
The enemy were not visible, and riding up, we dismounted and entered.[1]
[Footnote 1: "I have taken up too much space with this trifle," saidColonel Surry when I read this, "but that hot tea was a real cup of tea!I was really burned nearly to death, in attempting to swallow it! Thedialogue with my friend, the cavalryman, was real; and it is just thesetrifles which cling to the memory, obscuring the 'greater events!'"]
XIV.
MR. ALIBI.
The enemy had eaten up my supper! A glance at the table told the wholetragic history;--but the unnerved family were scarce in a condition tothink of my misfortune.
The enemy had staid for a few moments only, but in that time the familyhad gathered important information of their intentions. They were goingto surprise and attack General Fitz Lee that night; and had not so muchas halted, as they passed the house, to gain a by-road beyond. They werecommanded, the men said, by a General Darke, and guided by a man livingnear Monk's Neck, whose name was Alibi.
Mohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins. Page 46
